Washing machine mechanism



Nov. 5, 1935. .1 -w. RACKLYEFT 2.019.582

WASHING MACHINE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 1?-, 1935 INVENTOR' Y L. FWN im L0"E ,s w

Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED* STATES PATENT 17 Claims.

This invention relates .to washing machine mechanism and in particularto the gearing for washing machines of the type employing an agitator orwashing device which oscillates about a vertical axis.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of an improvedform of mechanism for starting and stopping the operation of awashingmachine agitator whereby at the same time the amplitude of the agitatoroscillations can be selectively controlled.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved form ofgearing for increasing the throw of a washing machine agitator shaft andagitator.

A further object of this invention is to provide a generally simplifiedform of washing machine mechanism of high efficiency, constructed of arelatively small number of parts whichaccomplish new and improvedresults as will hereinafter be pointedV out.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafterillustrated and described and some of its embodiments in theaccompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Stated in general terms this improved mechanism comprises the use of anysuitable form of reduction gear to which suitable connections areprovided for oscillating a fulcrum lever. The fulcrum lever carries across-head or any other suitable means whereby an element can be shiftedalong the fulcrum lever from a point coinciding with the center ofoscillation of such lever to a point adjacent to its outer end. Anysuitable means are provided for effecting the shifting of the cross-headalong the fulcrum lever.

A suitable connecting rod or pitman is pivotally connected to thecross-head and this rod at its end remote from the fulcrum lever isprovided with a gear arranged to mesh with a second gear xedly carriedby a vertical shaft. The gears are maintained in engagement with eachother by any suitable means so that upon the reciprocation of the pitmanthe vertical shaft is oscillated with a stroke of considerably greateramplitude than would be possible if the pitman were connected by a crankto such shaft. The increased amplitude of the stroke of the agitator iseffected by reason of the angular movement of the pitman which istransferred through the aforesaid gears to the shaft thereby increasingthe angular movement of the vertical shaft through the utilization ofthe compound movement of the pitman.

(Cl. 'I4-81) Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of awashing machine gear mechanism illustrating one embodiment of thisinvention.

Y Figure 2 is a detail sectional View taken on line 2 2, Figure 1. 5 yFigure 3 is a side elevational View showing a washing machine employingthe mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The mechanism disclosed in the drawing illustrates one mode of carryingout this invention in which a suitable gear case I is provided for thehousing of the operating elements of the device. 'I'he mechanism in thegear case comprises a worm 2 meshing with a worm gear 3 to which isxedly secured a crank 4 for rotation with the worm gear. The outer endof the crank 4 is provided with a stub shaft 5 journaled in a bearing 6formed in one end of a pitman 1. The other end of the pitman 'I isformed with a similar bearing 8 in which a second stub shaft 9 isrotatably 20 received. l

The stub shaft 9 is fixedly carried by a member I0 rigidly secured tothe outer ends of a pair of rods II. The other ends of the rods II arereceived in a block I2 to which is flxedly secured 25 a pin I3 mountedfor rotation in a bearing I4 formed in a boss I5 of the gear'case I.Thus upon the operation of the worm and its gear the crank 4 is rotatedeffecting the reciprocation of the pitman 'I and the oscillation of thefulcrum 30 lever formed by the rods I I.

A cross-head or slide block I 6 is slidably carried by the fulcrum leverrods II. This member is provided with an upstanding pin Il on which isjournaled a connecting rod I8 and a llink I 9. The other end of the linkI9 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 20 to a link 2I rigidlyconnected to a control lever 22 by means of a pin 23 journaled in asuitable bearing formed in the gear case I. The lever 22 ,is detachablysecured at one end 40 to the pin 23 by a nut 23a and at its opposite endit is provided with an operating knob or handle 24 whereby the lever maybe shifted to various predetermined positions.

The connecting rod I8 is provided at its end 45 is xedly secured to theconnecting rod I8 and 55 for convenience it may be integrally formedwith such rod as shown.

The shape and size of gears 30 and 3| may be varied to suit conditions.In the preferred form of construction the gear 30 is coaxial with theagitator shaft 29 and fixed for rotation therewith, and the gear 3l isfixedly connected to the connecting rod I8 and has its axis coincidingwith the axis of the pivotal connection 26 of the rod I 8. From theforegoing it is apparent that upon the reciprocation of the connectingrod I8 the gear 3| will oscillate bodily about the axis of the gear 30and at the same time it will be oscillated about its own axis due to theangular movement of' the connecting rod I8. In' this manner bothcomponents of the compound movement of the connecting rod are utilizedin effecting the oscillation of the agitator shaft. It is also withinthe contemplation of this invention mechanism in a washing machinewherein the gear case I is shown as provided with a cover 31, such caseand the associated driving motor being supported by a frame member 38upon which a washing tub 39 is carried. The gear case is provided with aproper amount of suitable oil or grease to insure the lubrication of theoperating parts in the gear case. Within the washing machine tub anysuitable form of agitator 40 is provided. This agitator is secured tothe agitator shaft 29 and during the operation of the mechanism itswings back and forth through an arc of about 180 during the full strokeoperation of the machine.

'I'he frame member 38 is provided with a control plate 4I having aseries of notches 42 providing stops for the control lever 22. Referringto Figure 3, when the control lever is in the notch shown to the extremeleft of the drawing, the pins I 'I and I3 are in axial alignment witheach other and the movement of the fulcrum lever about the pin I3 doesnot effect any movement of the connecting rod I8 or the agitator 40.When the control lever is shifted to the first notch to the right, theagitator 40 is driven with a very short stroke and in a similar mannershifting the lever to the nextnotch increases the stroke and in the lastnotch the machine operates with its maximum stroke. If desired thenumber of notches may be increased or decreased to permit the selectionand use oi' a greater or lesses number of stroke lengths.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the mechanism shown constitutes asimple and foolproof form of washing machine gearing of generallysimplified form in which the conventional clutch is replaced with asimple form of variable stroke mechanism. This feature of the deviceeliminates all clutch troubles and serves to greatly quiet the operationof the machine.

The improved form of mechanism for increasing the throw of the agitatorshaft constitutes a very efficient arrangement and it is generally muchmore economical in the use of power than mechanisms employing a rack orsegment for this purpose. The variable stroke mechanism permits the useof a form of gearing whereby the agitator shaft pinion and its drivinggear are maintainedin constant mesh with each other thereby eliminatingthe possibility of changing the intermeshing relation of the teeth ofsuch gears as occurs when the clutching operation is eiected through theengagement and disengagement of the gears, and when these gears are onceworn in they will operate in a noiseless manner 10 over extended periodsof time.

Furthermore by reason of the small amount of relative movement of suchgears, it being noted that part. of the movement of the agitator iseffected by the bodily movement of the gear 3I 15 about the gear 30, thewear on such'gears is considerably less than it is in the conventionalsegment gear or rack bar form of drive gearing. 'I'hese advantagespermit the use of relatively inexpensive die-castings for the gears 30and 3|, 20

/thereby achieving a material saving in the cost of such gears and againfurther advantages result froml the fact that the lubrication of thisform and arrangement of gearing is more easily accomplished as itnotvnecessary to flood the gears with oil in order to properly lubricatethem and a small quantity of oil will serve for this purpose.

The washing machine illustrated in Figure 3 is shown merely for purposesof illustrating one mode of applying the invention. 'This form ofgearing is applicable to wringer and wringerless types of washingmachines and the details of such forms of machines are not hereinillustrated as they are not essential to the disclosure of thisinvention.

Furthermore it is to be understood that the particular forms ofapparatus shown and del scribed, and the particular procedure set forthare presented for purposes of explanation and 40 that variousmodifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made withoutdeparture from this invention as described in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention what I 4,5

1. A mechanism comprising in combination, a continuously rotatingdriving member, an oscillatable driven shaft, bearing and support meanstherefor, and motion s converting and power transmission meansinterposed between said driven shaft and driving member for utilizingboth components `of the rotational movement of said driving member inlimparting an,oscillatory movement to said driven shaft. 5 5

2. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftand its bearing carried thereby, 'adriving member,.means forcontinuously rotating said driving member, power transmission nieanseccentrically connected to said driving member including an elementdriven with a compound movement, a gear fixed on said driven shaft, asecond gear in mesh therewith, and means for supporting said second gearfor bodily movement about the axis of said shaft and for movement aboutits own axis, said second gear being connected to said element andthereby driven with an oscillatory movement about its own axis andbodily about the axis of said first gear.

3. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftand its bearing carried thereby, a driving member, means forcontinuously rotating said driving member, power transmission meanseccentrically connected to said driving member including an elementwhich is reciprocated thereby with a compound movement, and a pair ofintermeshing gears, one of said gears being fixed to said shaft and theother of said gears connected to the element of said power transmissionmeans for utilizing the compound movement of said element in drivingsaid driven shaft with reversely rotary movement.

4. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftand its bearing carried thereby, a connecting rod, means forreciprocating said rod with a compound movement, and gearing connectingsaid rod to said driven shaft and utilizing the compound movement ofsaid rod for driving said shaft with reversely rotary movement.

5. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftand its bearing carried thereby, a driving member, means forcontinuously rotating said driving member, power transmission meansoperably connected to said driving member including an element which isdriven with a compound movement, and mechanism connecting said means tosaid shaft for utilizing more than one vof the components of thecompound movement of said element for driving said driven shaft withreversely rotary movement.

6. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a supporting member, adriven shaft journaled therein, a connecting rod, means for driving saidconnecting rod with a `compound y movement,` and mechanism connectingsaid rod to said driven shaft for utilizing more than one of thecomponents of the compound movement of said rod for driving said drivenshaft with a reversely rotary movement.

7. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftjournaled therein, a gear carried with said driven shaft and fixed torotate therewith, a second gear meshing with said first named gear andmounted for rotational movement about its own axis, and means forrotating said second gear about its axis while at the same time shiftingsuch axis whereby to drive said named gear with a reversely rotarymovement.

8. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaftjournaled therein, a gear coaxial with said driven shaft and fixed torotate therewith, a second gear meshing with said first named gear.means for supporting said second gear for rotational movement about itsown axis and for bodily movement about the axis of said driven shaft,and means for alternatively imparting such movements to said secondgear, first in one direction and then in a reverse direction to drivesaid driven shaft and first named gear with a reversely rotary movement.

9. A mechanism comprising in combination, a

. continuously rotating driving member, an oscillatable driven shaft,bear ng and support means therefor, and motion converting and powertransmission means interposed between said driven shaft and drivingmember for utilizing both components of the rotational movement of saiddriving member in imparting an oscillatory movement to said drivenshaft, said motion converting and power transmission-means includingdevices for varying at will the amplitude of the oscillatory movement ofsaid shaft.

10. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a. support, a drivenshaft and its bearing carried thereby, a connecting rod, means forreciprocating said rod with a compound movement including mechanism forvarying the amplitude of the reciprocations thereof, and gearingconnecting said rod to said driven shaft and utilizing the compoundmovement of said rod for driving said shaft with reversely. rotarymovement. 5

11. A movement converting mechanism comprising, a supporting member, adriven shaft journaled therein, a connecting'rod, means for driving saidconnecting rod with a compound movement including mechanism for varyingat will the extent of such movement, and mechanism connecting said rodto said driven shaft for utilizing more than one of the components ofthe compound movement of said rod for driving said driven shaft with areversely rotary movement.

12. A gear mechanism comprising, a support,

a driven shaft journaled therein, a rotatable driving member, a pitmaneccentrically connected to said driving member, means for varying theeccentricity of the connection of said pitman to said driving member, apair of intermeshing gears, one of said gears being fixed to said shaftand the other of said gears being fixed to said pitman, and a linkpivotally connected at one end to said shaft and at its other end to oneend of said pitman for holding said gears in mesh and permitting the endof said pitman and gear to swing in anarc about the axis of said shaft.

13. A gear mechanism comprising, a gear case,

a rotatable driving member carried in said case, y a lever mounted insaid case for oscillation about a fixed axis, a transmission membereccentrically connected to said driving member and to said lever foreffecting the oscillation of the latter, an element carried by saidlever and movable therealong, means accessible from the exterior of saidcase for effecting such movement of said element in a controllablemanner, a shaft in said case extending through one wall thereof, a gearin said case secured to said shaft, a second gear in mesh therewith, andmeans connecting said second gear to said element for impartingacoinpound movement to said second gear whereby oscillation of said shaftis effected.

14. A gear mechanism comprising, a gear case, a rotatable driving membercarried in said case,

a lever mounted in said case for oscillation about a fixed axis, atransmission member eccentrically connected to said driving member andto said lever for effecting the oscillation of the latter, an elementcarried by said lever and movable therealong, means accessible from theexterior of said case for effecting such movement vof said element in acontrollable manner, a shaft in said case extending through one wallthereof, a gear fixed for rotation with said shaft, a second gear inmesh therewith, and means connecting said second gear to said elementfor effecting the movement of said second gear about the axis of saidfirst gear. 60 15. A gear mechanism comprising, a gear case, a rotatabledriving member carried in said case, a lever mounted in said case foroscillation about a fixed axis, a transmission member eccentricallyconnected to said driving member and to said lever for effecting theoscillation of the latter, an element carried by said lever and movabletherealong, means accessible from the exterior of said case foreffecting such movement of said element in a controllable manner, ashaft in said case extending through one wall thereof, a gear in saidcase secured to said shaft, a second gear in mesh therewith, and meansoperably connected to said element for moving said second gear about itsown axis and about the axis of said first named gear.

16. A gear mechanism comprising, a support, a driven shaft journaledtherein, a driving member, a pitman connected to said driving member, a

s pair of intermeshing gears, one of said gears being fixed to saidshaft and the other of said gears being xed to said pit an, and meanspivotally connected to said and to one end of said pitman for holdingsaid gears in mesh and permitting the end of said pitman to swing in anarc 10 about the axis of said shaft.

1'7. A gear mechanism comprising, a support, a

driven shaft journaled therein, a rotatable driving member, a pitmaneccentrically connected to said driving member, a pair, of intermeshinggears, one of said gears being fixed to said shaft and the other of saidgears being fixed to said pitman, and a link pivotally connected at oneend to said shaft and at its other end to one end of said pitm'an forholding said gears in mesh and permitting the end of said pitman andgear to swing in an arc about the axis of said shaft.

JOHNW. RACKLYEFT.

